A Guide To Pumping
The life of any breastfeeding mom usually involves pumping at some point, whether creating a freezer stash for emergencies, providing milk when the baby is not with her, or simply so other family members can take on some feedings by bottle. This topic can feel confusing and complicated, so we have broken down some of the most common questions that arise.
When do I start pumping?
A breast pump should be utilized whenever your baby is missing feedings or not feeding effectively at the breast. That is because milk onset and maintenance of milk supply rely on consistent breast stimulation and removal. So some women may start pumping hours after their baby is born (if the baby has to go to the NICU or is too sleepy to latch after birth), but others may not need to pump at all for the first few weeks of their baby’s life (or at all if they choose) if the baby is doing well on the breast.
Since there is a risk of a negative impact on breastfeeding if a bottle is introduced too early, it is generally recommended that you stick to directly latching your baby for the first 3-4 weeks of their life. That doesn’t mean pumping has to be off the table before then, though! If a mother has a high priority of building up a freezer stash, has supply issues, or needs the baby to be supplemented with extra milk, pumping may be added into the routine. Aside from these special circumstances, I typically recommend pumping 1-2 times per day, starting around 1-2 weeks postpartum if you are up for the task.
When do I pump?
A pumping routine depends on each family and their circumstances. A mom with a low milk supply will need to pump more than someone with an oversupply. A mom who works a full-time job away from her baby will need to pump more often than a stay-at-home mom. Someone who is exclusively pumping will pump every 2-3 hours. The general rule of thumb is that you should pump any time a bottle or supplement is offered to your baby so that you don’t miss a session. Missing a feeding session causes a drop in supply because your body doesn’t know that it needs to make that milk!
Many moms pump first thing in the morning as they produce more milk in the morning. Some moms pump right after their baby goes to the breast to save milk for later, while others pump in place of a session and give their baby a bottle. Ideally, you should pump at least an hour before your baby goes to the breast next not to reduce what is available for their upcoming feed, but there’s no harm in letting them feed if they want, even if it is just after you pumped.
How long do I pump?
For the average woman, it is recommended that she pump both breasts for 15 minutes at each session. If she is still actively expressing milk at the 15-minute mark, she can go a bit longer until the flow slows down. If someone has an issue with oversupply and is trying to reduce their milk production, they may want to consider pumping for less time to limit the amount of stimulation to the breasts.
It’s important to note that when trying to boost milk supply, the frequency of pumping sessions or the number of sessions in a day is much more important than pumping for longer each time. So, for example, pumping for 30+ minutes for one session won’t necessarily help increase your supply as much as adding in another session would.
How much milk should I be pumping?
No two bodies are the same, and different people can produce wildly different amounts of milk! Generally, your supply is on track if you can meet 100% of your baby’s nutritional needs from the breast. As babies grow and get bigger, their volume demand generally increases, and your body adjusts as needed.
If you are exclusively pumping, achieving a total volume of 25-35 oz per day should be enough to meet your baby’s needs. However, if you are primarily breastfeeding, you may see anywhere from 1-5 oz per session, depending on how long it’s been since your baby last fed from your breast. Check out our article on how to boost milk supply for tips to get more milk when you pump!
Since a pumping plan can vary from family to family and relies on special circumstances, it’s always best to chat with a consultant to figure out what kind of routine would be best for you! Also, don’t hesitate to contact one of our specialists with any feeding plan or pumping questions for live support.
